22-year-old Baltimore man confesses to rape of 13-year-old

In most instances when there is a violent crime or sexual assault that is made public, it is followed by news that the suspect is pleading not guilty. Recently police arrested a 22-year-old Baltimore County man for the abduction and rape of a 13-year-old girl with whom he was previously acquainted according to news reports. The 22-year-old confessed to the rape.

When someone is arrested and charged with a crime, they also have the opportunity to talk to an attorney — either their own attorney or a public defender. The criminal defense attorney offers legal advice and counsel, but it is up to the defendant to decide whether to plead guilty or not guilty. The reasons were not given, but for some reason the 22-year-old decided to plead guilty.

The incident allegedly began when the 22-year-old drove alongside the 13-year-old as she was walking down Edmondson Avenue near Cooks Lane in south Baltimore. He invited her into his car, and she accepted. At this point the 13-year-old alleges that he drove a distance away and sexually assaulted her. He dropped her off on Stamford Road after which she walked to a gas station and called 911.

The police suspect that the two individuals were known to each other, however given the age of the girl, any sexual contact could not have been consensual. The neighborhood has been concerned about crime in the area, and was on the lookout for the suspect before he was apprehended.

The reasons the 22-year-old chose to plead guilty were not made known. Perhaps he is hoping for lenience in sentencing. Or the guilty plea could be a way to keep any jail time to a minimum. Or maybe he was looking for a way to avoid inclusion on the sexual predators list.

Whatever his reasons, the strategy is something that he should have worked out with guidance from his attorney.

Source: The Baltimore Sun, “Police arrest Balto. Co. man for Ten Hills rape of young teen,” Kevin Rector, Nov. 15, 2012